This coming weekend sees the return of MAAFL Championship games with round 1 and the Nashville Kangaroos hosting last years champions Chicago United. Last year these two teams fought out a heated battle in Chicago that left some questions being asked about sportsmanship in the MAAFL competition. The return game to kick off the MAAFL championship race this Saturday is sure to be just as interesting as will the rest of the season as it unfolds.

Last year the Chicago United team went undefeated in their four MAAFL games to take the title for the first time since 2001. This season there are new contenders already and six teams now looking for some of the glory of winning the USA's most talked about league.

The biggest interest will come from the performance of the Minnesota Freeze as they look to build on their already successful but short history. At last years Nationals in Louisville Kentucky the Chicago outfit fell short of their goals in Div I whilst the Freeze went about dismantling Div II and took home the trophy. In their wake the Freeze left Nashville and the Milwaukee Bombers in Div II behind them and St Louis and Cincinnati who played only in Div III. The Freeze dont play their first game till May 17th when they travel to St Louis for the first time, just two weeks after starting their local Metro competition.

Chicago also have a vibrant local competition that also commences May 2nd and with plenty of Australian input into their club and training, look to be on the rise again. The Freeze will most likely be setting their goals firmly on some wins in Div I this year, the MAAFL championship we expect will be a stepping stone towards that goal. A recent poll even by USFootyNews showed the Freeze as ranked 7th in the country above United who were voted in at 10th spot.

Teams like St Louis & Milwaukee are sure to be competitive again especially at home with Cincinnati joining were possible with Louisville to stay competitive in the MAAFL and Nashville always likely to be no push over. The later though coming off a surprising drubbing last weekend against nearest rivals Atlanta. Milwaukee will be looking forward to the Brunmiers playing a full year this year and could well cause a few upsets as they try and regain some form that saw them play off for the Div I title in 2005.

The season is a long one with the last games not scheduled till late September but an early indication to the chances of one of the favorites will be up for show this week at Elmington Park in Nashville. The MAAFL has been arguably the best organized league in the USA till now, this season looks to be the most exciting ever.

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